Indies

1550s, plural of Indie, Indy, from Middle English Ynde (early 13c.) "India," from the Old French form of Latin India (see India). Commonly applied to Asia and the East, later applied to the Caribbean basin, in a time of geographical confusion, which was distinguished from Asia proper by being called the West Indies.

indie

n.

"independent record company," 1945, shortening of independent (among the earliest mentioned were Continental, Majestic, and Signature); used of film production companies since 1920s, of theaters from 1942; extended by 1984 to a type of pop music issued by such labels.